Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, though I wish I did. But you all know what they say, if wishes were fishes then…um, never mind. Enjoy!

Hinata's and Shikamaru's relationship was full of surprises. The first being that they were in a relationship. The young adults decided to celebrate the success of their recent mission by going on a date when their next day off came. Hinata, knowing what Shikamaru was most likely to suggest, dressed in a comfy, light purple dress. It stopped just above her knees and had thick straps that tied behind her neck. Underneath it she wore Capri's that stopped half way passed her knees and to add the finishing touch she shrugged on her normal big purple sweater. She zipped it up just enough so that it would not be considered indecent and left her hair down. Hinata calmly walked out of the Hyuga compound as she made her way to their meeting place, the Ichiraku ramen restaurant.

Shikamaru lazily got up from the bench he had been sitting on and stretched. He scratched his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Shikamaru hadn't bothered to change out of his shinobi clothes since he had just come back from a mission late last night. Today was the only day he could hang out with his girlfriend. Just thinking about it made a small smirk cross his lips. Of course, he could be at his house sleeping until he had to leave once more instead of going to eat with Hinata. His next mission was going to be a long infiltration mission in the land of waves. What a drag. Nevertheless he made his way to the Ichiraku ramen shop stifling a yawn as he went.

Shikamaru leaned against the side of the building as he waited for Hinata to arrive trying to remain as awake as possible. Right at their agreed time Hinata came into view from around the corner. Shikamaru stood straight as he looked her up and down and led her inside. A small blush graced her cheeks when his arm accidentally brushed against her shoulder as he held up the flap waiting for her to enter. They sat at a booth near the back of the restaurant. Ayame brought the couple their order and left the two alone. Just as their conversation was going somewhere an excruciating bright blond head walked into the restaurant. Shikamaru, who was facing the entrance, immediately shrunk down trying his best to hide. Puzzled, Hinata looked over her shoulder, a small blush appearing on her cheeks as she uttered a single word, "Naruto…"

As if on cue the blonde's head turned, "Hey, Shikamaru! Hinata!" He made his way over waving his arms wildly about. Shikamaru straightened up, tch, and Hinata scooted over as Naruto invited himself over to their table. "What do you think of our next mission, Shikamaru? I can't wait to see the look on Inari's face when he sees that Naruto, the soon to be next Hokage, has returned. Isn't it exciting that we'll get to spend three whole months there! I can hardly wait!" Then he glanced over at Hinata, "Oh, hey Hinata how you've been?" She looked down sadly at her hands in her lap. Tch, Naruto you idiot, the Nara thought.

Quickly finishing up the remainder of his meal Shikamaru stood up and extended his hand to Hinata, "Sorry we can't stay longer, but we have somewhere to be." Hinata got out as best she could seeing as Naruto didn't bother to stand, "Um, it was nice talking to you again," she whispered shyly. Shikamaru's hand instinctively tightened a fraction of an inch as he dragged her out the door. However, a few seconds later his head popped back in to say, "Oh, and thanks for taking care of the bill for us. Later." Ayame stood beside Naruto, "Naruto, you're one of our best customers, but I'll need to see some money up front before you order anything else." His mouth hung open as he numbly reached for his froggy wallet.

Shikamaru sighed not really in the mood to figure out why they had left as quickly as they did. He continued to walk with out really knowing where they were going and before he knew it, they had arrived at the park. "Shikamaru? Um…" He looked back to see a pink faced Hinata. She was avoiding his eyes but gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. He blinked and gently let go of her hand and sat beneath one of the many trees in the park. Not many people were here today and those who were, were mostly elderly folks or those too preoccupied with other things to take much notice of the young adults. Hinata followed Shikamaru beneath the tree. Neither said a word for a while, they just sat calmly watching the clouds. Before long, Hinata noticed that Shikamaru's eyelids had slowly closed.

Something warm and soft traced lines on Shikamaru's face. He remained asleep until it floated passed his cheek once more. Shikamaru sluggishly opened his eyes and found himself looking up directly into Hinata's face. Somehow he had ended up in her lap after he had fallen asleep. As soon as she realized he was awake her face immediately flushed with color, "Oh, Shikamaru! I-I didn't mean to wake you. I'm sorry, I know that you hav-haven't slept at all since your last mission and you need your rest before you leave." The more time he spent with her the more he noticed that Hinata tended to go on and on when she was nervous. Shikamaru guessed it had to do with her not wanting to seem too quiet or something. "It's just that-" before Hinata could finish her sentence Shikamaru lifted his head from her lap, gently tugging on one of the long locks of hair that hung over her shoulder, and silenced her with a soft kiss.

The kiss was more of a brush of lips but it was enough to make Hinata's eyes begin to tear up. Shikamaru sat up and tenderly held her. "Shh, it's ok. Everything will be ok." he whispered into her hair. Shikamaru and Hinata had been apart before but never for such a long time. There were plenty of things that could happen in the span of three months and most of them could end it all. Just thinking of all the possible outcomes resulting from their three month separation made his body faintly tremble with fear. The tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks as Hinata nodded her head against his chest. He squeezed her gently before getting up, offering a hand to the Hyuga as he stood.

They stood awkwardly neither knowing what to say. Shikamaru gently stroked her cheek and whispered, "I-I have to go now." He cleared his throat as Hinata shyly giggled. He turned his head from her and scratched the back of his neck, "There's something I want to ask you before I leave." He faced her once more, his cheeks were now a lovely shade of pink, and cleared his throat nervously once more, "W…will you marry me?" Hinata's face immediately surpassed the color on Shikamaru's cheeks. "Shi-Shikamaru…" She hid her face in embarrassment. "Wait; don't give me your answer until I return." There was an uncomfortable pause in which Hinata nodded. Shikamaru turned to leave but was stopped when he heard her call out to him. He turned and before he had time to blink, Hinata had tackle hugged him to the ground. She whispered into his vest, her tears soaking into the material. Shikamaru placed his arms around her waist and whispered back. She told him that she would miss him and to come back safe and he answered that he would also miss her and that everything would be alright.

It was in this position that Naruto, Ino and Sakura found the couple. All three newcomers were wearing civilian clothes and blushes. Naruto's mouth dropped open and he pointed, "No way! Hinata and Shikamaru are…they're…" If there was anything in the world that could grab one's attention, it was the loudmouth blonde. Shikamaru and Hinata immediately sprang apart. Hinata wiped her tears as they stood. Sakura tried to gently pull Naruto away, "I think it'd be best if we waited for him at the gate. Um, sorry for the interruption." Naruto remained stiff with shock. Shikamaru sighed and walked passed the others, "I have to stop home to change first." All followed after him except for the stunned blonde.

Shikamaru mentally thanked the Gods that neither of his parents were home as all his friends piled into his kitchen. He went to the fridge were he found a note his mother had taped there this morning. He returned to the table, all conversation stopped and all three girls were avoiding his eyes. Hinata's face remained flushed and Naruto's mouth still hung open, his eyes wide and unseeing. Shikamaru though of simply shaking his friend but decided that he didn't want to at the moment so he just poured the cup of juice over Naruto's head. He got the reaction he was expecting. "Hey what's the big idea?! Now your gonna…" Naruto stopped as he realized where they were. Shikamaru removed Naruto's hands from his collar and proceeded to his room. Naruto blinked, shook his head and then sat back down.

More than an hour later than they had planed, the small group was at the gates getting seen off. The farewell group consisted mostly of the departing group's parents, teachers and the rest of the rookie nine. Shikamaru was glad that his father was away on a mission right now, otherwise he'd probably be getting some lame advice about women in the land of waves. Hinata approached him and stopped within a friendly distance of him. "I hope your mission goes well and I'll be sure to be here to welcome you guys back." An unspoken sentence hung between them. Shikamaru looked at his team and then back at Hinata. He nodded and stepped closer to her. She blushed but did not try to take a step back; instead she also stepped closer to him.

All eyes were now on them as they noticed Hinata's strange reaction. Shikamaru cupped her face and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her to him so there was no space between them. Hinata did nothing to stop him, her cheeks gaining a pink look as she put her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. It faintly registered in the back of Shikamaru's mind that everything had suddenly become quiet but he didn't care. At the moment all that mattered was Hinata; not who saw or what they'd say or even how much trouble he could get in for kissing the Hyuga heiress. With that he kissed her, but calling it a kiss would do it no justice. No. Anyone in the crowd could see, except the once more stiffened Naruto that it was too strong with out looking strong. Nothing happened except the pressing together of bodies and lips but it was clear from their faces that to them it was much more than a kiss.

Their lips parted but they remained together, both young adults blushing and short of breath. With their foreheads touching, Shikamaru whispered, "I'll miss you." Hinata nodded, her tears threatening to spill. "I'll miss you too," she whispered back becoming more aware of the noises around them. When the team finally left it was getting dark. As soon as the gate was out of sight Shikamaru was bombarded with questions. Poor Hinata was suffering the same thing on a much bigger scale. How long are they going to keep this up? What a drag. "Focus on the mission." was all he said and the team remained quiet throughout the rest of the night.

Two of my favorite Naruto coupples together. Yay! I just dont see enough Shikamaru X Hinata fics out there. Hope you had as much fun reading it as I had typing it. Leave me a review and tell me what you think.